First Test: 2010 Stasis Audi S4 Challenge Edition Is this Void Filler an M3 Killer? June 09, 2011 / By Nate Martinez / Photography by Michael Shaffer
It is hard to fill a segment void in the automotive world these days. But even so, there are certain pockets of opportunity that remain untouched. And in the case of Audi and its lineup of go-fast sedans, there are unique tuners like Stasis Engineering that will happily fill them.
Since 2008, the B8-generation Audi S4 has quietly romped many of the globe's closed tracks and vacant streets with its athletic all-wheel drive handling. Its 333-horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 has put smiles on riders' faces with claimed 4.9 second runs to 60 mph. Its luxurious cabin, in the truest of Audi traditions, has simultaneously comforted drivers' appendages, eyes, and glutes. Indeed, the all-wheel drive S4 is a well-engineered sport sedan bent on giving the BMW M3, Lexus IS F, Mercedes-Benz C63, and Cadillac CTS-V a very hard time.
Yet, within the competitive lot, the S4 has always been recognized as the tamer, more timid, and not as aggressive four-door. And unlike generations before, enthusiasts wanting a meaner S4 wrapped in a quattro-created RS package were out of luck.
By now, you can already understand how quickly the fluorescent light bulbs flickered on inside of Stasis Engineering's main offices at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia.
The Brilliant Red S4 strewn across your screen is a "hardercore" reinterpretation of the everyday S4. Stasis calls it the Challenge Edition, and it is the higher of two performance packages offered by the American outfit (the other being the Touring Edition).
A few choice parts sharpen this driver's tool to near M3-like levels. A less restrictive T304 stainless steel exhaust ($1495) frees up gasses and gives the supercharged mill a throatier bark at all rpms. Combined with a revised ECU ($1495), the Challenge Edition makes 410 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque, or 77 ponies and 45 pound-feet more than stock.
Another elegant Audi debuts German automaker Audi keeps turning out elegant-looking cars, and the newest - the 2012 A7 - is no exception.
By ANN M. JOB For The Associated Press
German automaker Audi keeps turning out elegant-looking cars, and the newest - the 2012 A7 - is no exception.
The mid-size A7 has four doors and well-sized back seat like a sedan. But people typically don't notice because of the car's sleek, deceptively styled, coupe-like body.
Indeed, the coupe shape and side profile of the A7 are similar to that of the pricier, rarified Aston Martin Rapide.
Plus, the A7's 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats in the hatch area is the best of any Audi car, save for the wagon version of the A6. There's even more A7 storage space when back seats are folded down.
Best of all, Audi engineers carefully managed the weight of the 16.3-foot-long A7 so its supercharged V-6 can provide strong, sporty performance while keeping fuel usage in check.
Starting manufacturer's suggested retail prices, including destination charge, for the 2012 A7 is $60,125 with 310-horsepower, supercharged and direct-injected V-6 and eight-speed, automatic Tiptronic transmission.
Audi's quattro all-wheel drive comes standard. Notable extras include a navigation system with Google Earth 3-D capacity and a $5,900 Bang & Olufsen sound system with tweeters that rise from the top of the dashboard.
Competitors include the 2011 Mercedes CLS, which has a starting retail price of $76,175 with 382-horsepower V-8, rear-wheel drive and seven-speed, automatic transmission. Another is the 2011 BMW 535i sedan, which has a starting retail price of $50,975 with 300-horsepower, twin-turbo six cylinder, rear-wheel drive and manual transmission.
Arguably, the Audi is the freshest of the bunch in appearance, especially when optional, smart-looking light-emitting diode lights adorn headlamps like high-tech eye shadow.
There's a rear spoiler that's recessed into the trailing edge of the hatchback lid most of the time. It deploys at 80 mph to help reduce rear lift at high speeds.
The A7 tester started smoothly and drove smoothly. Power was strong and refined.
It was as easy to drive the A7 fast, on the open road, as it was to drive it in busy city traffic - the accelerator pedal responded to even subtle changes of pressure.
Under the long hood is a 3-liter, double overhead cam, supercharged V-6 with Audi's direct gasoline injection system. The combination produces fast, though not brawny, get up and go.
Torque peaks at 325 foot-pounds starting at 2,900 rpm and continuing to 4,500 rpm, and power felt always at the ready.
The engine sounded strong, too, without being overbearing or cheap in tone.
The eight speeds in the transmission are more than the seven in the Mercedes CLS and worked well even in manumatic mode in the tester; I shifted from gear to gear on my own, without needing to use a clutch pedal. Brakes worked fast to slow this speedy car.
But my gasoline mileage was just 18.1 mpg in city and highway travel. This is less than the average of 22 mpg that the federal government estimates (the federal highway rating is 18 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway). And, with the A7 needing premium fuel in its nearly 20-gallon tank, a fill-up can be more than $85 at today's prices.
Audi packs a lot of information into the instrument cluster in front of the driver. But it's done without gimmickry, so there's no overwhelming sense of "what is all this?"
The clear numeric digital display of the car's speed was especially important to see because the A7 is deceptively fast.
The large, 8-inch display monitor in the center of the A7 dashboard, which showed radio stations, phone settings, navigation maps, etc., only came up after the car was turned on. Otherwise, it slid out of sight into a slot at the front of the center stack all by itself. This display projected bright colors and was easy to read. Audi's own Multi-Media interface (MMI) system with a large knob in the center console can take a driver quickly to the proper menu to adjust radio stations, nav settings, etc.
Even more progressive is Audi's fingertip pad that lets a driver "write" phone numbers on a black pad that's next to the gear shift lever in the center console. Handwriting recognition software "reads" numbers so the phone number can be inputted and dialed. It works on navigation commands, too. Audi says this reduces driver distraction.
Back seat legroom of 37 inches is on par with many mid-size sedans, and riders sitting behind me could extend their legs easily. But headroom can be tight back there for 6-footers; the car's roof slopes. There is only room for two in the back seat. Long-legged riders in the front seat will find the A7's seat tracks are long.
Note that the cargo area is shallow.
Many safety features are standard, including 12 air bags, electronic stability control and traction control. Blind spot warning system and rear parking sensors are options.
AUDI URBAN FUTURE: PROJECT NEW YORK CURATED BY ARCHITIZER
As part of the ongoing Audi Urban Future Initiative, five of New York City's leading young architectural firms are taking part in the exhibition Project New York. Leong Leong, TheVeryMany, Matter Practice, Abruzzo Bodziak, and labDora have been asked to develop new visions for the future of urban life using Manhattan as their muse and testing ground. The exhibition will take the form of a massive scale model of Manhattan which will present the five future scenarios. Over the course of the exhibition, the firms will work both individually and collectively to develop new ideas and future visions that may result from the interaction of their concepts and models. The gallery space will be constantly documented and the collaborations continuously incorporated into the exhibition as it is produced. Visitors to the gallery will be digitally inserted into the architects' renderings of the future. These images will be posted online and disseminated using social media as part of the digital presence of the exhibition.
The Audi Urban Future Initiative began in 2010 with Alison Brooks Architects, BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group, Coud 9, J. Mayer H. Architects und standardarchitecture. The "Project New York" exhibition considers the themes originally developed and uses Manhattan as the ultimate urban laboratory of the future.
The ideas and images developed through the exhibition will be further stretched and expanded as they are connected to social media networks, resulting in an explosion of discussion and innovation for the future.
Curated by Marc Kushner (Partner Architizer) Chris Barley, Troy Conrad Therrien (Curators)
Audi Launches Roadside Assistance App For Smartphone Users
Audi Launches Roadside Assistance App For Smartphone Users
Just a few weeks ago Infiniti launched a new roadside assistance app for users of the Apple iPhone, and before that we saw MINI launch its own version, while Mercedes-Benz has had its mbrace assistance feature for what seems like forever. Now Audi is joining the fray with its own free roadside assistance app for the Apple iPhone and iPad, as well as BlackBerry and Android smartphone users.
The new app, dubbed the Audi Roadside App, works by accessing an Audi vehicle's basic information, which is stored as part of the broader roadside assistance service. It delivers some emergency and concierge services directly to the smartphone--everything from locating dealers to connecting with the nearest service center for repairs.
Using the phone's GPS services and VIN information registered on first sign-in, the app can pinpoint who's trying to reach Audi's third-party service provider, and where they'll be needing a helping hand.
The feature then connects users to a team of customer service staff with a comprehensive nationwide towing network to bring assistance when needed. Audi includes complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance on all new models sold in the U.S. for the first four years of ownership. Owners of older models can still use the app, but roadside service fees would apply.
The Audi Roadside App is available now as a free download via the respective iTunes Store, BlackBerry App World and Android Market. Note that it's only being offered for U.S. customers currently.
Audi is about to roll out Audi Connect, an infotainment system that combines an in-vehicle Wi-Fi link with what amounts to a navigation system on steroids.
Audi Connect debuts in the 2012 Audi A7 this spring. It will be available on the 2012 A8 this summer and optional on the 2012 A6 sedan when it goes on sale this fall.
Audi Connect creates a password-protected Wi-Fi link within the vehicle. In tests during the 2012 A6's launch in Sicily, passengers surfed the Web on an iPad and had full use of smartphones.
Audi Connect does not directly enable voice communications, as a cell phone does. But smart devices running programs such as Skype can be used to make phone calls over the Audi Connect data network.
Higher quality, quantity
A main goal of the system is to increase the quality and amount of information available on a vehicle navigation system.
"We've heard from our customers that map and point-of-interest information on DVD-based navigation systems is frustratingly out of date from the day they take delivery of their car," says Filip Brabec, Audi of America's general by Automotive News cartech blog
